Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, left, represents the 35th Legislative District. Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, represents the 20th Legislative District.

Commentary: Don’t blame the national GOP for failures of Washington state Democrats

When accountability comes due, Democrats in the Legislature immediately run and point to something other than their own policies. They can run, but we should not let them hide from their failures. … more

By state Reps. Peter Abbarno and Travis Couture | 12/3/25

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: I want capitalism and private property rather than socialism

In November 2024, the majority of U.S. voters elected Donald Trump as president of the United States, making him chief executive of the U.S. government and commander-in-chief of the United States … more

12/3/25

Letter to the editor: From survival to support: How do we aid unhoused youth?

Last year in Thurston County, there were 1,506 public school children who were unhoused. More than 43,000 K-12 students in Washington state alone were without homes last year. In Washington … more

12/3/25

Letter to the editor: Social media is poison, and we are eating it up

I recently read that nearly 70% of political accounts on Twitter were from other countries. That is an astonishing number. We are so divided and social media is one of the most influential means … more

12/3/25

Letter to the editor: Maduro should be fought with boycotts and sanctions, not with guns and bullets

Attracting worldwide concern is the vast American military deployment on the seas off of Venezuela, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s most powerful warship, and … more

12/3/25

Audrey (Doelman) Rademaker, a Dutch native and longtime Chehalis resident.

Julie McDonald: Dutch native learned resilience at a young age

Thanksgiving always gives us the opportunity to count our blessings, and this year was no exception. However, a tinge of sadness colored the celebrations as I prayed for the family of U.S. Army … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 12/1/25

Wayne Fournier: Prop 1 didn’t fail because Olympia is divided — it failed because the policy wasn’t ready

In the days since Olympia voters rejected Proposition 1, a tidy explanation has been circulating among the initiative’s proponents: renter-heavy precincts voted yes, homeowner-heavy precincts … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 12/1/25

Zac Eckstein is chair of the Lewis County Democratic Party.

Zac Eckstein commentary: Our tax code should reward work, not wealth

A few weeks ago, I sat down with some popcorn and opened up tvw.org, the non-partisan digital archive of state government happenings. I was looking for some clues about what might be coming down the … more

By Zac Eckstein | 12/1/25

Letter to the editor: Fair winds and following seas, Mr. Nelson Hunt

I just read where Nelson Hunt recently passed away. I had met Nelson a couple of times due to our Coast Guard connections, noticeably at the monthly luncheons that used to be held at the … more

12/1/25

Brian Mittge: At 90, ‘Messiah’ enthusiast still rejoicing in the music

This Saturday, a longstanding Twin Cities tradition will ring grandly when the “Sing-along Messiah” at the Chehalis Seventh-day Adventist Church tells the Old Testament prophesies of … more

12/1/25

Thanksgiving FAQ: Stuffed With Answers

We at the Chronicle hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving, and even though you are chowing down on some delightful mashed potatoes right now, we want to add even more to your plate. Thanksgiving can be … more

Brandon Hansen / For The Chronicle | 11/26/25

Washington state Sen. John Braun smiles after speaking at a fundraiser to kick-off his congressional campaign at Jester Auto Museum on Thursday, Sept. 18.

John Braun commentary: A state income tax is illegal, but don’t expect that to stop Democrats

Our state’s Democratic legislators have a long list of tax dreams. It’s safe to say a state income tax is at the top of their list, even though Washington voters have repeatedly said no … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 11/26/25

Letter to the editor: I’m ready to get to work for our community

Hi neighbors, Thank you for choosing me to represent you on the Centralia City Council. I value your trust, and I’m ready to get to work for our community. In my new role, I will be a … more

11/26/25

Letter to the editor: Servicemen swear to support and defend the Constitution

For Rural Lewis County Indivisibles’ “No Troops in Our Streets” rally last weekend, I made a sign that read: “Our Troops Swear an Oath to the Constitution – Not to the … more

11/26/25

Volunteers who helped finish up the siding on the common building at Shalom Village in August were invited to write messages on the studs inside its walls.

Brian Mittge Commentary: The faithful community building Shalom Village

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, but … more

By Brian Mittge | 11/26/25

Richard Stride commentary: The Empty Chair

Every family table has its own stories — the ones told year after year, and the ones we remember quietly when the room grows still. And sometimes, especially around Thanksgiving, there is an … more

By Richard Stride | 11/26/25

Letter to the Editor: How are we better off now?

I want to ask MAGA supporters, how are we better off now? Prices keep climbing because of inflation fueled by tariffs. August saw the worst August job gains since 2010, with just 22,000 new jobs … more

11/25/25

Letter to the Editor: Congressional Democrats undermine military discipline without cause

As a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major, I’m offended by videos from Congressional Democrats urging service members to resist unspecified presidential directives. These officials, including … more

11/25/25

Letter to the Editor: Perhaps The Chronicle should reconsider platforming Mr. McEntire

I find it interesting to see The Chronicle publishing a lengthy commentary from state legislator Joel McEntire, for what appears to be the first time that I can find, shortly after Mr. McEntire … more

11/25/25

Columbia, representing the United States, looks upward next to the Union sword and shield in this wartime 1863 illustration by Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly after President Abraham Lincoln declared the first of what has become November's annual national day of Thanksgiving. The illustration also shows Presidents Washington and Lincoln kneeling at top center. With the Civil War raging, other panels show the Army, Navy and a group of enslaved people being emancipated.

Brian Mittge commentary: Let’s dig in to the legacy of Thanksgiving

There’s a lot of time and preparation that goes into a perfect Thanksgiving meal. My wife, a skilled and caring cook, has been planning our family feast for weeks. I can’t wait! It … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 11/25/25